2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Carmen Martinez

Carmen Martinez is the Managing Director and Leader of RSM US-El Salvador, a subsidiary of RSM US LLP. Carmen started the practice over a decade ago with the vision of creating a disruptive model to the traditional offshore approach that would also generate a positive impact in the community. She was a pioneer in establishing consulting opportunities through an innovative approach to strategic sourcing in a developing nation.

She has built a high-performing operation focused on innovation and delivering an excellent client experience. With over 16 years of experience in technology consulting, Carmen has consulted on and led multiple, large-scale digital transformation projects spanning system implementations, technology strategy projects, and operational optimization across several industries, primarily in North and Latin America.

Carmen was born and raised in El Salvador and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She holds a master's degree in business administration from INCAE Business School and a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering with a systems and entrepreneurship focus from the Georgia Institute of Technology. One of Carmen's greatest passions is traveling and learning about new cultures.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I have been fortunate to have had opportunities in my life that led me to pitch the idea and form the business plan of what is today RSM US-El Salvador. The success of our operations, partnered with the satisfaction of directly contributing to my home country and making a real impact in people's lives through what we have created, all the while delivering value to our clients and our partners, is what I consider my greatest professional achievement.

I am immensely grateful to my amazing team and the incredibly talented colleagues I get to work with, many of whom I have been working with for over a decade.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

Enjoy this time of your life and seek what you are passionate about – find your purpose. Consulting is vast and offers so many opportunities, so take chances, venture into unknown spaces, learn, explore, don't be afraid to switch specialties, and discover what you enjoy, which will probably continue to evolve over time.

And as you grow into your career, you'll continue to develop skills and find new interests, and you'll form relationships that will enable you to become a trusted advisor to your clients and your colleagues. And know that what you do matters and can make a difference.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

The extensive opportunities in consulting – from what we work on, to where we work, to whom we work with. Consulting is a unique line of work that constantly offers new challenges that drive continuous learning and growth. I'm passionate about innovation – and consulting enables us to think creatively and deliver transformative solutions that help make an impact in our communities.

And lastly, but most importantly, I highly value the people whom I've been fortunate to work with, from clients to colleagues, some of whom have also been mentors and have supported me throughout my career.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

Recently, I was at a leadership conference, where one of the speakers said, "What you do [at work] is not who you are." And while our profession is important, we must remember that it is only one aspect of our lives because we are all individual and whole human beings. We need to take care of all aspects of ourselves, including time to disconnect and focus on our well-being.

At the same time, we also need to recognize that each person is a unique individual with their own unique self. So, demonstrating empathy will lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others and will lead us to more positive outcomes.

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

Being recognized as a Global Leader in consulting means to me that we are generating a real impact in the lives of our people, our clients and our communities.

At RSM, we know our people are unique and we foster an inclusive environment that encourages us to be our authentic selves. Our people are empowered to make an impact from where they are. And that is what we have been able to do, creating a positive impact in a developing nation, my home country, improving people's lives, all the while delivering the best value to our clients, through our talented employees, bringing together unique perspectives that enhance the insights we provide to our clients. In consulting, we have the privilege of constantly working with different clients and engagements that continue to challenge us in unique ways.

So, when we collaborate across borders and we bring the power of one RSM, we drive forward our collective strength and demonstrate our commitment to our clients and to our people, delivering sustained value and real innovation. New ways of doing business opened opportunities to work with talented people from anywhere in the world, including developing and emerging nations.

This recognition is an affirmation that we're doing something good in the world. It's a testimony to the quality of our team, but most importantly, I hope this recognition inspires others in leading from where they are, giving hope to others who come from developing or emerging nations, like myself that we can make a global impact.